Most maps, including most free topographic maps do not contain DEM data. When displaying a map that lacks Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data, the 3d map is simply a perspective view similar to what you see on most GPS models 3d view mode. BaseCamp has a 3d Display mode that is not in MapSource. There are a couple of other features that are worth mentioning. If you are an Apple user, then you have no other choice, since MapSource was never ported to Mac’s. If you have a Birds-Eye-View capable GPS that can display optional satellite imagery, then BaseCamp is a must, since MapSource has no support for this feature. Increasingly, the unique features of BaseCamp make it more compelling. BaseCamp was becoming a viable alternative to MapSource.
MapInstall is a little clumsier than the integrated map integration and download feature of MapSource, but it works. The addition of MapInstall as a separate program callable by BaseCamp made it possible to use BaseCamp to combine and download maps to the GPS. Now when I fire up BaseCamp, the sluggishness is gone. I eventually updated my hardware to a faster multi-processor, with more memory and a faster USB interface. I continued to focus my documentation efforts towards explaining MapSource usage. For the most part I stuck with MapSource for everyday tasks such as managing track logs, combining and downloading maps and creating custom routes.
Every now and then I would get a question from a Mac user who was using BaseCamp.
What’s the point of a slower program with fewer features? BaseCamp went into my unused software bin,Įvery now and then, I would run BaseCamp just to see if maps were compatible. I quickly wrote it off as a lame attempt by Garmin to appease the Apple users who could not run MapSource.
It did not even have the ability to load maps by itself. It was incredibly slow to paint maps on the screen, subject to crashing, and from what I could ascertain had fewer features than he old standby MapSource. We know this works for the devices mentioned below.When Garmin first introduced BaseCamp, I loaded it up and took it for a test drive. There are ways to change this, but this is pretty advanced stuff. You will notice that the name on your device is different than the name you gave the file, that’s normal. Did this work for you? Let me know your GPS model in the comments! Luckily, with the current models, this should not be a problem! Just change the name of your file to something more memorable like for example “map-sweden” before copy-pasting it into the Garmin folder. Uploading multiple maps on your device was not possible with older Garmin devices. What if I want multiple maps on my device?Īs you will have noticed, the file we have been working with is called gmapsupp.img. In there you will find a folder Garmin, open that and copy-paste your file in there. Take the one that is not called Garmin, it will be somthing like USB-station (F:). Only when connecting your device to your computer, you will see two different drives pop up. If you bought a memory card for your device, you can upload your maps on there. What if I’m using a memory card in my device? If you have any trouble with the steps above or just advice in general, let me know in the comments! We’ll try to figure it out and afterwards it will be added to the FAQ section. I do this, just to be sure they don’t interfere when routing (but this may be superstition).
I tried a number of different methods but I finally decided this was the right way for me. Last year, I bought the Garmin GPSMAP 64s and I am super happy with it! However it took me some time to find out how and where I could get the right maps for my new device.